The Mecca Alliance has agreed to activate collective deterrence measures in response to what it described as “heinous attacks” by Yemen’s Houthi group against Saudi Arabia.

In a statement on Monday, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye had agreed to “provide the agreed military forces and capabilities and ensure their rapid deployment” to the kingdom, The Caspian Post reports, citing Al Jazeera.

Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman said the member states had agreed to activate the alliance in response “to the attacks and all those responsible for them.”

The announcement comes as the Saudi-backed Yemeni government has launched a counteroffensive aimed at pushing Iran-aligned Houthi forces back from territory they captured last month.

The agreement was reached during an emergency meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee under the Mecca Alliance in Riyadh.

The mutual defence pact was signed in August, shortly before the Houthis launched their offensive in Yemen, which has included attacks on Saudi targets. Since then, questions have remained over whether Islamabad and Ankara would agree to activate the agreement.

However, amid escalating hostilities in Yemen, the committee agreed to “move immediately” to implement collective defence measures to “ensure their rapid deployment in the Kingdom,” according to the joint statement.

The defence commitments will be carried out under “approved arrangements” and in accordance with the national laws of the three countries, the statement added.